3 Years Today.

June 29th, 2008, the day my life changed forever. The day I met and started dating Joe.

And yes, I was nervous as nervous can get. As I remember, I was pacing back in forth in the apartment with my roommate Beth, freaking out. Little did I know that I would end up marrying this guy and having a little family.
The date was great. We went to eat at Applebee's (the only good place in Hutch at the time) and had constant conversation, smiles and laughs. I was greatly relieved that this wasn't "another ding dong" that I was set up with. I admired his love for his daughter and the twinkle she put in his eye when he was talking about her, and of course, he was a man in uniform! Kids and man in uniform! I was excited! After supper we went back to the apartment and then went on a walk along the river with Beth. This is where this picture was taken!. I defintiely went to be happy that night.

Not only did I start dating a wonderful man, I also got to start "dating" a wonderful little girl.

Who couldn't LOVE this smile! Abby was a great addition! I loved my package deal! But she doesn't look like that anymore, she is growing up way to fast!

Again, who couldn't love her!

Joe and I did many things while we were dating. I loved EVERY weekend would could spend together. Never a dull moment, and never a moment where I wasn't laughing or smiling.

A year and a half later Joe popped the question with the help of Abby (she asked me first if I would marry her Daddy).

Then came the wedding. September 11th, 2010.

Still laughing and smiling!!

So, I have been very blessed in the last three years. And I wouldn't trade ANYTHING for it! I love my family!

:(

Well, I didn't get the job at the Alex Early Education Center. Which stinks cause its EXACTLY what I wanted. So, I'm a little bummed about it. But, thats the world of teaching! So, on to the next ones. Since this door has closed there has go to be a better door right!?!?!

I was looking through other peoples pictures of the family reunion and found this one with Abby and I so I thought I would share it!. Remember we were camping which means lack of shower which means not looking so hot!! lol

what a goof!

Here she is fishing..concentrating SOOO hard!

Not sure what her face is here!! lol

She had a blast! Which I'm happy about. If she is happy, I'm happy.

Hope your Monday was great!

Hugs & weekend.

This is what I want and where I want to be:

And I will get it the middle of July. Only to wait another 6 months. Oh well, he will just have to give me a lot of them to last me the time...hehehe.


This weekend consisted of work and mowing lawn...it was LONG over due and now I could bail the grass lol..oh well. i will just chop it up more next time. Definitely not taking the time to rake it. He He.

Also, I found out that my mom has a surgery date set for her knee replacement and hinge thing put in. To make a long story short, she heard a pop in her knee a few days before the wedding, turns out that all of her tendons and ligiments etc have dissinigrated (Sp?) due to complications with Diabetes. After a long time of trying to figure out why her knee was so swollen etc (seriously like months) and many doctors she was finally diagnosed with Charcot (google it. Make sure you put in there that it is Charcot knee). So, her options were this replacement with hinge surgery or amputation. She is trying the replacement first. Doc says he is pretty positive it will work.

So, her surgery is August 11th. Which will be followed by at least 5 days in the hospital, and then weeks in a rehab center or nursing home. I told her to stay there as long as she needs. The longer the better for her case!

So, thats about all. I get Abby next weekend! No plans this time! Just hanging out and bonding!! lol.
Have a great week!

1 month down....

SO...One month down, 11 to go. or 48 weeks. Not sure which one I want to count by yet. 11 sounds great, but then I do not get to change the number very often...lol

It has been an interesting month. I'm still thinking the hardest is the transition of being alone. Night time is hard. Thats when we were together most of the time. But, I have started a counted cross stitch (i know im like 80) but I need something to do that will keep me saine.

I look forward to Abby weekends. Oh thats another thing I can count. I will have Abby 24 more times until Joe gets home. haha. Oh well. Abby and I have so much fun on our weekends and I am thankful EVERY day that I have them. Without them, I'm not sure how I would be handleing everything. She keeps me going. I would KILL (k not really kill something) to see that smile every day. I love her much!

This weekend is full of work. But again, it keeps me busy..

OH....and get this. I brought my ring in to get sautered (sp?) together and to have them look at the wedding band cause I noticed that one of the diamonds were loose. So three weeks later I go and pick it up and then today, I look down, and one of the diamonds IS MISSING!!! and not the same one that was loose! Now I know they were there this morning, and only God knows where it is...so..Back I go with my ring, hoping that I do not have to pay for a lost diamond. I don't think I would be this upset if I hadn't JUST got it back after they checked it over to make sure it was all ok....uggg...so..here's to another 3 some weeks without my wedding ring....

Poor ring...

Have a good rest of your Friday!! And hey! The SUN is out!!!!

Weekend.

Well, we survived! Our tent stayed dry from the rain, stayed standing from the wind, and didn't get struck by lightening...

It was the Tri-annual (Not sure if that is a word but it is now!) Brouwer family reunion this past weekend and Princess (she told me she wants to be called that. I am the "guard" I guess lol. She could come up to me and be "Guard, can I go play with the kids?" Oh the imaginiation. So Princess and I had a great time! We roasted hot dogs over an open fire, made smores, played with lots of people, went down a slide, AND went fishing. I'm sure I'm forgetting something! Princess almost caught the biggest fish but, it got away right before we almost got it in the net! She had caught a little bugger and then an estimated 9 lb northern was trying to eat the little fish. He let go right at the last minute...darn.

I love weekends like this..though it almost makes me think about how different and ....yes I will say it..more organized our stuff would have been if Joe was there. But I did it! lol.

Hope everyone else had a great weekend. I have more pictures on my phone. I will try to figure out how to get those on here....might be a while lol.

Missing him.

More and more, everyday. I find myself missing my wonderful husband. I miss his face, his wit, his love toward Abby and me, and yes I miss the CONSTANT picking in me. It's just not the same without it.

As many of you know, my relationship with my husband is different than most. I think we spend more time picking on eachother, Ok him picking on me cause I can RARELY get a good burn in and when I do, I make it known. It is so weird to not have that everyday. I look forward to that become a regular thing again.

Some may ask so do you like having this new "life" persay where you can do whatever you want. Watch whatever tv shows, leave clothes lay on the floor (I'm getting better babe I promise), leave whenever I want to and go whereever I please. Well, my answer would be this. The only thing that has changed is the fact that my husband is gone. I could do whatever I wanted before. Yes we watched a ton of sports while Joe is home but hey, I enjoy it also. I just give him a hard time about watching my shows. Why should I let something piddley as that dictate my marriage. I'm not going to worry about what is on our tv at home when we are together, I just love the fact that we are doing something we enjoy and that we are, in fact, together. We aren't out spending a butt ton of money, we aren't fighting, we aren't going our separate ways, we are spending time together.

Needless to say, I miss my husband. A lot. and can not WAIT to see him again. He is one that can make me laugh no matter what my mood is, and picks me up when I fall.

Love you babe.

Dear Resturant Patrons:

Alright. I truely agree with the statement: "Everyone, at some point in their lives, needs to work in a resturant." It is darn true. So, as I get on my soap box for this post, I hope readers will either change their way of thinking, or become a little more understanding.

K, I realize that when people come to a resturant, they have expectations. They want friendly service, relatively fast service when it comes to food, and a wonderful atmosphere. Likewise I expect that also....

BUT.....

Please realize that when one comes into a resturant, at 6p.m., just like every other Tom, Dick, and Harry, that those expectations stated above may have to be tweaked. As for me, if I step into a resturant, realize that the place is ENTIRELY PACKED, that my service may be a little slow. I can not expect that I will get my food within 10-15 minutes like it may normally happens. Now also realize that we as workers, are trying our damn hardest to stil make that happen. But, we can not control what happens in the kitchen. Realize that if every Tom. Dick, and Harry comes in at the same time, and orders are going back at the same time, that means approximately 40 peoples food is being cooked at one time. ITS GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE LONGER. Also, by no means is this your server's fault. They are doing all they can to ensure your happiness, but if the kitchen is backed up, then yes you have the right to be angry. (Note: don't not tip your server just becuase it took long to get your food. It's not their fault/)

ALSO...

(this one kills me) By no means should you be angry if there is a wait at any resturant IF IT IS A HOLIDAY (aka good friday) and you come in FOR A FISH FRY at 6PM when EVERYONE else in the universe has also COME INTO EAT. We as resturant workers, can NOT make people eat faster, talk less, and make them leave. IT DOES NOT WORK THAT WAY. So, if you do not have a reservation for said days (holidays) and you come in when everyone else does, DO NOT GET ANGRY IF THERE IS A WAIT. 

UGG jsut frustrates me.

now if your service is poor, your server is crabby, then you have the right to be crabby. But if you can clearly see that the resturant is busy, all workers are running their fannies off and sweating..GIVE US A BREAK!!!


Ok, off my soap box, thanks for listening......
Happy Thursday!

Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Mensen!

Again, I had another very busy weekend. I don't mind it though. I'd rather be busy than bored at home!

Friday I went with my cousin Ashley down to Redwood Falls for a wedding of a friend of hers. I was her date to that wedding and she was my date for the wedding on Saturday. The reception was at Jackpot Junction Casino. Now, you can't go to a casino and and least spend 5 dollars (thats all the cash I had in my wallet). And luck me walked out with 25! I played one penny machine, won 20 bucks...and thats good enough for me!!! On our way out to catch the Cyrus fireworks and a little Karaoke, we spotted these:

Hahaha. I have no idea why I  thought this was cool....

And yes, I finally sang karaoke that night. Even though it was with my good friend Steph and my cousin Megan, I got over the first time jitters of Karaoke. Plus, most of the people were drunk and I will probably never see any of them again...

Saturday was a special day! The best man from our wedding got married! Joe was supposed to be their best man, but that didn't happen. Melissa looked absolutely stunning in her dress! I loved it! I cried more at their wedding than I did at my wedding!!! These two are such great friends and I'm happy to have them in my life. Here is a pic:

Love them! I also got to spend some more time with another one of Joe's good friends (the three of them were deployed together the first time) Pieper. And yes he does have a first name, Corey, to which I didn't know for the longest time. I met Pieper and his wife Dawn at their wedding on New Years Eve, so it was great to talk to them some more and get to know them better.  Here is a pic of all of us:

Such a good time that night! Thanks to my cousins for being my date! Many happy years to the newlyweds! (how Ironic, all three couples were married within a year!)

Sunday I spend the day working. Which was good. Always fun to be with my friends there. Speaking of Bennigan friends, I attended a surprise baby shower on Monday for Alissa. Baby Ensley is due in August. She was so surprised! She recieved some great gifts and darn cute little outfits for her little girl! I can't wait to meet her!

I hope you all have a good week. Seems I always have some errand to run! This weekend is the Brouwer family reunion in Paynesville. So Abby and I will be going there. Sadly though we have to miss my nephew's 1st birthday party on Saturday. Happy 1st Birthday Chase!!!!

Feelings.

I am such a mix of emotions right now. I will go from happy to sad to crying to happy to depressed to happy to lonely. If I didn't know myself better I'd say I'm bipolar, or crazy, or preggo. But, I am none of the above. Well I may argue crazy..haha.

My biggest feeling right now is fear. Fear of being alone ( I have never..EVER...lived alone). Fear of loosing the two people I love the most. Not sure what I would do. But I'm not going to think about that....I just have that fear. I have a fear of screwing things up. Making the wrong decision that will impact not only the next year, but the rest of my life.

Today was the first day I broke down since Joe left. Just had to cry. But, crying makes me feel better. Weird I know. I haven't always been a cryer, in fact I would make fun of my mom for crying at the dumbest things. (I hate saying this) I have turned into my mother on that aspect.

Anywho. The weekend is almost upon us. I have two weddings to go to this weekend. I would like to say congrats to the best man in our wedding on his wedding. Pictures will come.

Night all!

To Darn hot...

Now I know in the middle of winter we will all be saying "Its too cold, we want warm weather" but this weather well, its too darn hot....Maybe it is because we went from one extreme to another, with no time for our bodies to adjust..and now just 70 for the end of the week...yeah..crazy.

Though I really shouldn't complain. I have a weather bug app on my phone that i have the time an temperature thing set for over in Kuwait. I feel sorry for the soldiers. Yesterday was 120. And the same for the rest of the week. Then..I think that they have to wear pants and long sleves depending upon what they are doing...No thank you.....

But today I get to go sit by a pool, and drink lots of cold water...So I will take it. And hopefully by the next round of heat, or landlords will have our airconditioner in....hopefully.....

Happy Tuesday!

The weekend update!!! It may be a long one!

Well here it is Sunday afternoon and I figured I would let you all know what Abby and I did on our first weekend without Daddy. I wanna start by saying she is doing absolutely wonderful. I am very impressed as I thought It would be a lot harder on her. Well so far it isn't. She talked about Daddy a lot and even started saying some of the things Daddy would always say. I'm not going to like it was like having him home again! She also talked on the phone to him a couple of times and there again no tears!! She was very excited to talk to him. Made him happy and myself happy!

Friday night we just hung out around the house. Had the famous mac and cheese and hot dogs for supper, and played a few games and just relaxed. When we were going to bed we heard fireworks going off and we looked out her bedroom window and we could SEE them!!! What a great way to watch them...no mosquietos!!!!!

Saturday we had a graduation to go to back in my hometown. But on the way there we had to stop at build a bear in St. Cloud to get her bear "updated". Joe had recorded his voice on a little recorder before he left so we had to get it in!! Here are some pictures of the "surgery"....

Fuzzy/Bear/Teddy is all fixed now with a special voice!!!

I forgot to take pictures at the graduation. But here is Abby at Grandma Lois'. She was being silly! I had a great time at the graduation and seeing people from back home that I haven't seen in a while. So weird to see my old youth leaders from church and their kids. The oldest is 9 and they now have 5 kids!! Crazy! And another family that I used to baby sit for has 5 kids and the oldest is 15! wow. Makes me feel old!!!(haha)

Sunday bright and early we started our cookies. (my first sleep in day is Tuesday lol) Here is my helper. Once the flour goes in is when she is headed back in the living room, until the buzzer sounds, then she wants a cookie.

Our next project was picture frames. I painted them yellow before we made cookies so they were dry in a couple of hours. The one of the left is going to her mom's house and the one on the right is either being sent to Daddy or going to be in her bedroom. Abby picked the pictures.

Final products!!!!

THEN....(yes we had a busy day!) We went to watch the parade down broadway for the Beetles, The Alex baseball team. It was short and sweet but fun none the less!!

Abby told me I had to take a picture of the American Flag. All weekend everytime we drove by one she would say "whoa theres another one!!" or she would poke me and say "Did you see it?"f

This is the greatest last picture...I'm thinking my husband would LOVE one of these!!! A motorized/rideable cooler.......

I'm going to end this post with a little story that popped up over the weekend. If you need a laugh well, here ya go....

I told Abby that I had to go to the bathroom so I would be right back. She said to me "Momma Chelsey I wanna come with."

So I said ok and that I was just going to go to the bathroom nothing else. So she stood in the door way and proceeded to say: "Momma Chelsey I have a question. Why is it that boys going potty standing up? I mean you and I sit on our butts but we cant stand up? But why do boys do it? Daddy stands up."

oh my heavens...what an awesome question...

Normally I would say go ask your dad. But..I had to answer this one...I just said because they are "special".

She stood there and thought about it and replied "But how?" :)

School is done!

Well, another school year has come and gone, and now summer is upon us. At least the weather decided to take part and become summer like also.

School was crazy today, but fun. Sad that I will not be seeing my lovely girls everyday in our office and the conversations that came with it, but we already have our first get together set and I can't wait!

Best part of the day, being the 'tiger' at the end of the day. Now let me tell you, that was one HOT experience. Even with the AC on in the auditorium, the sweat was just dripping down my face! But, the look on the children's faces made the sweat almost non-existant. Although the pulling of the tail and attempts of ripping my  head off I could have done without, but, again, it was fun!

I picked up my dearest Abby tonight. I was one excited person to see her! Her mom and daycare mom said she has been doing pretty well. The first couple nights were rough but she has turned it around and is happy as can be. She talks about Daddy daily and all day. Even here. She was confused when we got home and Daddy's truck was sitting out front. I tried to explain that Daddy took a bus with all the other soldiers and he didn't drive his truck. Then I got the dreaded word "why".....ugg. But I think she is understanding. The links are going well and this weekend we have to print some pictures for her to bring home and put in her bedroom of her and Daddy.

Tomorrow we are off to Darwin for a wedding and graduation party. She is excited to see Grandma Lois. Not sure how much time she will have with her cause..well..I'm not going to the house. Some of you know what I'm talking about, and some of you don't. Thats another blog story.....oh well....

I'll have pictures tomorrow!!!!
Thanks for reading.